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Compared with my friend Laurie's 357 Magnum S&W 640 no dash double action trigger is between 2 and 3 time heavier and much less smooth. How can I reduce double action trigger's weight while maintaining reliable ignition. Single action ignition obviously will remain reliable. I use the SP101 almost exclusively double action.
Look for a site called ==MaCarbo== Veterans ownedand operated They offer spring kits and a very good video on how to slick up the little Ruger
GW
I only have the sample of one gun but I got a SP101 in 38 Special years ago for my wife to use as a home defense gun. She is a small woman and it became imediately obvious that she didn't have enought hand strength to fire it double action reliably. So I got a Wolf spring kit and swapped out everything that came in it to the lightest springs in the kit. Started getting some misfires so had to go up one increment stronger hammer spring and that problem went away. I'm mainly a rifle or shotgun shooter but I've got several friends who know double action revolvers better and they all say the gun feels like it's had an action job by a gunsmith. All I know is that it feels mighty smooth and light to me. A spring kit is easy and cheap to try.
Many folks do swap out springs & such with good results.
However,, a good action job can be had w/o spring changes. My wife & a few other ladies in our family have & carry SP-101's. All have had an "action cleaning & smoothing" to where they are sweet shooters. Even my mother had her's done prior to her passing. She passed at 80.
Due to design,, the S&W actions seem to lend themselves to a better feel. But I've seen way too many Rugers smoothed up that can rival most S&W's to where folks who are die-hard S&W fans admit how good they are.
If you are handy,, they aren't too hard to work on.
I've had bad results in changing out springs in the past, sometimes not enough poop to pop the primer. My best solution has been to dry fire hundreds of times while sitting on my butt in the evenings.
Honing the action up to match with correct angles and a bright smooth finish is preferable to changing out springs, the only spring I change out is the trigger return spring. Changing the mainspring to a lighter spring can cause miss fires and other issues. Even if no misfires poor ignition can result from light hits.
If you can have a smith do a true trigger job leaving the springs.
If this is a new gun I would also recommend either firing 400-500 rounds or dryfire this may smooth up the action quite a bit. Most gunsmiths want that amount of use before doing a trigger job. The old relvovers smooth triggers arnt always from a trigger job but years of use smoothing and wearing the parts together.
Every SP101 I've handled has had a butter smooth action. The main issue is the heavy trigger pull. Not a problem for me with my gun, but for others I could see where it would be a problem. I definitely would try to Wolff Springs kit. The SP101 is a fine weapon. If you can get the trigger pull to a more acceptable level for you to shoot it'll make you a very nice piece to pass down to the next generation.